The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that punter Chris Gradone of Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier will be a preferred walkon for the Wildcats next season.

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald would not comment on the report, per school policy.

Gradone, who is not listed in the Rivals database, is 6-foot-2 and 199 pounds. He averaged 40.7 yards per punt for 7-5 St. Xavier last season, according to MaxPreps.com. His long was 60 yards and he dropped 10 of his 52 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.

Redshirt freshman walkon Brandon Williams punted for Northwestern last season, averaging 40 yards per punt. His backup was kicker Stefan Demos, who has now graduated, leaving the Wildcats with just one punter on the roster.